The Ice Theatre of New York choreographed by an Asian American

David Liu, is a former Olympic skater (competed for China) from Taiwan. He is now dancer and choreographer for The Ice Theatre of New York. David was born in Taiwan, immigrated to the United States at the age of six and began studying dance and figure skating at the age of eight. He auditioned for New York City Ballet's School of American Ballet (SAB) and was accepted on full scholarship, under the tutelage of Richard Rapp and Andre Kramerevsky. David pursued his skating career and competed at three Olympic Games for his native country, Taiwan. He teaches, choreographs and performs in both skating and dance. David has choreographed programs for skating luminaries such as Brian Boitano, Lu Chen, Midori Ito, Nicole Bobek, Rosalynn Summers, and for major television specials including Kurt Browning's Gotta Skate, Divas on Ice with Katarina Witt, PBS' An Evening with Champions, and NBC's Rockefeller Center Christmas Specials. He has choreographed at least five works for and/or with Ice Theatre in the years he has been with the Company, some of which were showcased in “Dance Visions on Ice” last season. He was appointed co-artistic director this year. The Ice Theatre of New York, the nation’s premier ice dancing ensemble, propels its new season with its inaugural performance and benefit gala. The performance will take place at Chelsea Pier’s Sky Rink.

Followed by cocktails and dinner, the evening honors two-time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan and emceeing the night’s festivities will be her fellow Olympian Paul Wylie. The benefit will also recognize Ice Theatre’s board member, Joan Erdheim, for her contributions as a tireless volunteer for both Ice Theatre and Manhattan’s arts world. Ticket sales support Ice Theatre’s New Works and Young Artists, an outreach program for public school children in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens, as well as Ice Theatre’s 2008-2009 performance season.

WHEN: Monday, October 27th from 7:00pm – “ 11:00pm. Performance begins at 7:00pm; Gala begins at 8:00pm.

WHERE: Pier 61 at Chelsea Piers, 23rd Street & the Hudson River. Performance at Sky Rink; Gala at The Lighthouse (both at Pier 61). Train C/E to Eighth Avenue

HOW: Performance Tickets $25/Seniors & Students $15. Gala Tickets $350 – $1000. Open to kids of all ages. To purchase tickets, call Ice Theatre 212.929.5811. To learn more, visit www.icetheatre.org .